Erasmo Carlos - Erasmo Carlos E Os Tremendoes

Digitally remastered edition of this 1970 album from the veteran Brazilian singer/songwriter. Collectively, the songs on Erasmo Carlos E Tremendões sound like an attempt to appeal to nearly every relevant genre of Brazilian popular music at the turn of the decade. From the cover tunes alone there's a Caetano song "Saudosismo" (Tropicália), an Antônio Adolfo song "Teletema" (Pilantragem/art-pop), and not just any Ary Barroso song, but the unofficial Brazilian national anthem "Aquarela Do Brasil". Of the new songs, "Menina" is a Soul ballad and "Jeep" brings the Funk. Maybe it was exactly that, a chance for Erasmo to stretch his creative muscles in a lot of different directions as it became clear his Jovem Guarda character and sound had run it's course, along with the TV show of the same name. Erasmo Carlos E Os Tremendões is greater than the sum of it's pop-rock spitballs. It's a creative, and at times experimental and groundbreaking album that remains a thrilling listen. Erasmo Carlos has no counterpart in the universe of Anglophone pop music that could begin to hint at his relevance, popularity and his complex relationship with the only Brazilian pop star more universally recognized than himself, Roberto Carlos. He may be a beloved pop star and household name in Brazil, but hardly because of the music found on this album. While in retrospect it can be appreciated as one of his most creative, consistent and personal albums, it was also one of the least commercially successful and underappreciated of his long career, at least until recently. Embracing the artistic freedom of the global counterculture of the late '60s and early '70s, over the course of his three albums released between 1970 and 1972, Erasmo evolved from his bubblegum beginnings into a sophisticated singer/songwriter.